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Meaning & use

ruler

noun·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈruːlə/
US/ˈruːlɚ/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    A person, such as a king, queen or president, who has the highest authority over a country or people.

    Grammar: Refers to a person with political power; often with of: the ruler of the kingdom.

    Patterns

    • the ruler of something

    The ruler of the island announced new laws.

    The young ruler faced a war soon after taking power.

    Several rulers attended the peace summit.

  2. nouncountable

    A flat, straight strip of plastic, wood or metal with markings, used to measure length or draw straight lines.

    Grammar: Usually refers to a measuring tool: a 12-inch ruler; use a ruler to draw a line.

    Patterns

    • measure something with a ruler
    • draw a line with a ruler

    Use a ruler to draw a straight line under the heading.

    He measured the width of the book with a ruler.

    I always keep a clear plastic ruler in my pencil case.

Word forms

pluralrulers

Common combinations

absolute ruler
The country was once led by an absolute ruler.
supreme ruler
The supreme ruler lived in a palace on the hill.
wooden ruler
The teacher tapped the desk with a wooden ruler.
measure with a ruler
Measure the length with a ruler.
ruler of a country
She was the ruler of a small country in the Alps.
draw with a ruler
Draw the border with a ruler.

Synonyms and how they differ

monarch
A monarch is a king or queen who inherits power, whereas a ruler may gain power in other ways.
leader
Leader is a broad word for anyone who guides others, while ruler stresses holding formal power over a state.
sovereign
Sovereign is formal and emphasizes supreme authority, and is usually a king or queen.
straightedge
A straightedge is a straight tool for drawing lines with no markings, while a ruler also measures.

Opposites

subject

Word family

rule verb
to govern, or to decide officially
ruling noun
an official decision, especially by a court
rule noun
an official instruction, or a period of government
misrule noun
bad or unjust government

Commonly confused: ruler or roller?

ruler vs roller

A roller is a cylinder that turns, such as a paint roller. A ruler is a measuring tool or a person with power.

Practice

Use a ___ to draw a straight line across the page.

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